Head to Hillsboro

09/04/2026

Break out that chalk and show us what you got!

🎨 Calling artists, creatives and doodlers of all skill levels. Showcase your artistic talents and transform Main Street Hillsboro into a vibrant canvas during the Hillsboro Harvest Market.

Register online: www.imaginehillsboro.com/event-details/chalk-of-the-town-2026

09/02/2026

Bob's Marine Sales & Service will now be helping with our Youth Fishing Clinic by sponsoring our Fishin' Fuel Packs but will also be providing some fun give prizes for the kiddos! Don't miss out and sign up if you can! Click the link below or stop into City Hall Monday through Friday 8-4pm! All youth are welcome! Hope to see you all there!
https://forms.gle/gHtihx8i4ZCfCdxr8

09/02/2026

Good things are brewing for our small business community! 👀

Today’s DCEO Roadshow wasn’t just an opportunity to learn about the programs and resources available to our communities. It also sparked some conversations about how we can do a better job of bringing those resources directly to our local small business owners.

I’m especially excited about some ideas that came out of today and the opportunity to collaborate with our neighboring communities to make resources more accessible, useful, and relevant to the businesses right here in our area.

There are a few things in the works that I’m not quite ready to share yet… but if you’re a small business owner, stay tuned. I think you’re going to like what’s coming. 😉

And a big thank you to MCEDC and DCEO for continuing to create opportunities for collaboration and connection throughout Montgomery County.

Today, a handful of Montgomery County representatives attended the 2026 Illinois Department of Commerce & Economic Opportunity (DCEO) Roadshow for the Central Region at Innovate Springfield!

In the photo is Breann Vazquez, City Administrator with City of Litchfield, IL; Kaitlyn Fath, Executive Director for MCEDC; Dylan Goldsmwith, mayor of City of Nokomis; Audra Elam, Community and Economic Development Coordinator for the City of Nokomis; and Melissa Smith, Community and Economic Development Coordinator for the City of Hillsboro, Illinois. Also present, but not pictured, was Jamie Stokes from the SCI Regional Workforce Training & Innovation Center and Matt Jones from the West Central Development Council, Inc.

While we all make it a priority to keep up with the programs and resources available to our communities, today was a great refresher on the opportunities available to 1) support our communities, 2) help local businesses, and 3) drive economic development in our county and region.

Today we had the opportunity to hear from DCEO leaders including Aly Grady, Deputy Director at Illinois DCEO and Andrea Runge, Assistant Deputy Director at Illinois DCEO plus Callie Heidbreder, Business Programs Specialist with the USDA Rural Development team; Lingling Liu, Community Engagement Manager with the Illinois Office of Broadband; and several other state and regional partners.

A special thank you to DCEO for putting on this event, and an extra-big thank you to our always supportive Central Region Team RED reps, Belynda Allen and Faith Ritchie. We truly appreciate all that you do for the Central Region and Montgomery County!

09/01/2026

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08/28/2026

Thanks to a $500 donation from Hillsboro Health to the Autism Hero Project on behalf of the Hillsboro Police Department, HPD now has 10 sensory bags on hand to help our officers better support individuals with autism or sensory sensitivities during any encounter, not just traffic stops.

Each bag is designed to help de-escalate a high stress or overwhelming moment. Inside you'll find items like noise-cancelling headphones, a sensory fidget toy, a communication board to help nonverbal individuals express their needs, and a "sensory scale" tool that helps someone show how loud or bright their environment feels to them.

These bags work alongside our Blue Envelope Program, which helps officers recognize and appropriately respond during traffic stops involving a driver with autism or a sensory sensitivity. Together, the two programs give our officers tools for the full range of encounters they may have with community members on the spectrum, whether it's behind the wheel or anywhere else.

This is far from the first time Hillsboro Health has stepped up for our first responders. From snacks to trauma bags, their support has been consistent and generous. Chief Randy Leetham continues to champion community policing initiatives like this one, with SRO Officer Frank Kenny overseeing the program under his guidance, alongside Investigator Mellor. Pictured with them is Michael Alexander, CEO of Hillsboro Health.

Without Hillsboro Health's continued support, programs like this would not be possible. Thank you for investing in our community and in the safety of everyone who calls Hillsboro home.

Want to learn more, or request a Blue Envelope for your vehicle? Reach out to the Hillsboro Police Department. To learn more about the Autism Hero Project, visit autismheroproject.org or follow them on Facebook .

Hillsboro Police Department Hillsboro Health The Autism Hero Project

08/27/2026

Great news!

08/26/2026

If you haven’t stopped by the Illinois Underground Railroad: Journey to Freedom exhibit at the Hillsboro Public Library, there is still time. The exhibit will be open until September 3. On behalf of the City of Hillsboro we would like to give a special thank you and recognition to Lincoln Land Community College and Jessie Blackburn for their contribution and support. Their sponsorship provided the materials needed to create the staging elements in the exhibit!

Open the first picture for more information and exhibit hours!

08/26/2026

Hey friends, instead of asking your cousin’s best friend who took one law class in college, here’s a chance to get real legal guidance for free!

Land of Lincoln Legal Aid will be offering free legal help to Montgomery County residents on Tuesday, Sept. 1 and Monday, Nov. 9. The mobile justice team will be on site at the Montgomery County …

08/26/2026

Mark your calendars 🗓 for the last Hillsboro Farmers Market! September 12th from 9AM-Noon! 🍅🌽🍪

08/21/2026

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The City of Hillsboro is beginning a new partnership with the Illinois Housing Development Authority (IHDA) to develop a Community Revitalization Plan for our community.

And this is about much more than simply conducting a housing study.

Over the next year, we'll take a comprehensive look at Hillsboro's housing needs and existing housing stock, but we'll also examine community assets, economic and demographic trends, opportunities for development and investment, and how housing connects to the overall growth and future of our community.

The end result will be a plan built specifically around Hillsboro: where we are today, what we need, and where we want to go.

But we can't build that plan from behind a desk.

This is where we need YOU.

We're looking for residents, renters, homeowners, landlords, business owners, housing professionals, employers, service providers and other community members who are willing to lend their time, knowledge or perspective.

There are several ways to participate. Some volunteer opportunities may require only a few hours, while we're also seeking individuals interested in being considered for a longer term role as a Community Ambassador.

You don't need to be an expert in housing, development or local government. Your experience living, working, raising a family, owning a business, renting, buying a home or simply being part of Hillsboro is experience we need.

This is an opportunity to help us take a thoughtful, honest look at our community and create a roadmap we can use to pursue opportunities for Hillsboro's future.

👉 Learn more about the volunteer opportunities and sign up here:
https://forms.gle/xtQEB9pGvgMyqokj7

Let's make sure Hillsboro's plan has Hillsboro's voice in it.